<<Print>>

Apathy, low publicity and difficulties associated with proof of eligibility might be inhibiting many qualified persons from patronizing the on-going Limited Voters Registration Exercise (LVRE). These impressions emerged during visits to some registration centres in Ho by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and to some centres in the Ho-West and South-Dayi districts by Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Volta Regional Minister. The LVRE is open to Ghanaians who have attained the minimum voting age of 18 years or Ghanaians who were more than 18 years but could not get registered. Any such person must prove his or her eligibility by tendering a Ghanaian Citizenship Identity Card or Driving License or Birth Certificate or Passport or Baptismal Certificate or attested to by guarantors. Mr Sampson Yekple, Deputy District Supervisor, Ho-West District told the GNA that the turn-out should not necessarily be �high� since the exercise was a window of opportunity for the limited number of newly qualified voters. Mr Charles Gbagbo, Assemblyman, Ho-West District Assembly, told Ms Ntoso at the Vane Registration Centre that many of those who qualified might not be motivated to travel from their communities to come to Vane to register. Mr Gbagbo said trekking from Biakpa, Old Dzorkpe, New Dzorkpe and Tave-Bunya to register at Fume might also be a bother to many of those who qualified to register. So also would it be for those from Gbadzeme who would have to come to Amedzofe to register and from Dzogbefeme and its environs to go over to Vane to register. Mr Gbagbo said the cost of getting guarantors to accompany eligible patrons to Registration Centres was another issue that could prove difficult for those who might wish to register. Mr Jacob Komla Adzei, Registration Officer at Community Centre Registration Centre, Vane said 12 people were registered on Monday, the first day of the registration exercise, five on Tuesday and two by noon on Wednesday. At Amedzofe two people were registered on Monday, three on Tuesday and seven by noon on Wednesday. At Peki-Blengo, 11 people were registered on Monday, 12 on Tuesday and five by 1300hrs on Wednesday. Mr Gabriel Akoto, the Registration Officer attributed the low turn-out to lack of publicity about the exercise. He said people were being informed about the exercise at funerals and in churches. At Peki-Wudome, Ms Pearl Appiah said eight people were registered on Monday, two on Tuesday and three by 1400 hours on Wednesday. At Dzolokpuita, nine people were registered on Monday, another nine people on Tuesday, and five by noon on Wednesday. Mr John Ahiadzo, Registration Officer at the Regional Museum Registration Centre in Ho appealed to local FM Radio stations in Ho to give priority to informing and educating the public about the exercise. He said there would be no need to extend the 10 day exercise. Mr Ahiadzo said working in any capacity to ensure the success of the LVRE was a national duty. Mr Ahiadzo said four people were registered on Monday, while 16 and 13 people each were registered on Tuesday and Wednesday.